Top Tips for Thriving in Medical School

Medical school is an exciting and challenging journey, with plenty of ups and downs along the way. The editorial team at eMedici has put together some practical, experience-based tips to help you study effectively and make the most of your time.

1. Find a time management system that works for YOU

There is a lot to juggle: travel to university, lectures, tutorials, clinical placements, part-time work, relationships, family, friends, and your own wellbeing. A clear time management system can help you ‘switch on’ and ‘switch off’ with intention.

Some students thrive with a physical planner; others prefer digital calendars with time-blocking. Some build structured weekly timetables, while others plan day-by-day. There is no single “right” system – only the one that works for you.

Set aside time each week to reflect. What are your major goals this semester? Are you spending enough time on high-yield topics? Are you protecting time for rest? Small adjustments each week can compound into significant progress over a term.

Many students find it helpful to schedule regular, focused Question Bank sessions – treating them like non-negotiable appointments – rather than leaving revision to the final weeks before exams.

2. Work out how YOU learn best – solo or in a group

There is an abundance of educational resources available to Australian medical students (eMedici included – we admit we are slightly biased!). The key is not how many resources you use, but how intentionally you use them.

Some students prefer independent study, identifying knowledge gaps and working through targeted MCQs at their own pace. Others benefit from collaborative learning, especially when tackling challenging concepts or practising communication skills.

For example, structured OSCE practice can be particularly powerful in a group setting. Rotating through the roles of candidate, patient, examiner, and observer helps deepen understanding from multiple perspectives. Using a structured OSCE bank allows your study group to simulate exam conditions while still receiving detailed feedback to guide improvement.

3. Use high-yield MCQ strategies

Preparing for MCQ exams requires more than content knowledge – it requires exam technique.

Some general principles can help:

• Concentrate on high yield, common topics that are likely to make up the bulk of your exam. The search functionality in the Question Bank can help you focus on specific areas.

• Revisit questions you are getting incorrect – read the feedback on each option to make sure you understand the clinical reasoning.

• Target questions in areas that you feel the least confident in. Sometimes learning a little in a completely new area will go a long way in your exams!

• Attempt a question with the 'cover test'. This is an item-writing test that editors use to see if the question can be answered without looking at the options (i.e. cover them!), but it can also be a useful strategy for you to test yourself without the cue of seeing the options.

• Study with others and reflect on the reasoning of each option before looking at the answer together. You can see how other students think and solve questions.

• Look for clues in the stem that can help you rule options in or out; relevant negatives are usually included for a reason.

Within the Clinical Medicine resource, we include case studies that walk through structured approaches to answering MCQs – demonstrating how experienced clinicians think through stems systematically.

4. Experiment with proven study techniques

Beyond question practice itself, the way you structure your revision sessions matters.

• Pomodoro technique – Work in 25 minute intervals (pomodoros) followed by short 5 minute breaks. Longer breaks can be used after four pomodoros to improve focus and productivity.

• Spaced repetition – Increasing the interval between reviews strengthens long-term retention. For example, revisiting the same topic in weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 10 can consolidate learning. Many students convert key learning points into flashcards using spaced repetition platforms. For example, Project Malleus – an Australian collaborative Anki deck – links directly back to relevant eMedici questions, helping bridge active recall with structured question practice.

• Feynman technique – Teach the concept out loud as if explaining it to a child. Identify gaps in your explanation, revisit the material, and simplify.

• Concept mapping – Create visual diagrams linking symptoms, pathophysiology, investigations, and management – to understand how things work and relate to each other. While MCQs are often focussed on one or two key learning points, reading around the related incorrect options can strengthen your understanding of the overall topic.

5. Reinforce what you learn on clinical placement

Clinical placements are one of the richest learning environments in medical school. Each patient encounter is an opportunity to deepen understanding.

A commonly used reasoning framework in Australian general practice is Murtagh’s Model (PROMPT). When considering a patient’s presentation, ask yourself:

• What is the most Probable diagnosis?

• What serious Red flag diagnoses must not be missed?

• What conditions are Often missed?

• What Masquerades could explain this presentation?

• Is the Patient trying to Tell me something beyond the immediate complaint?

Have you just seen a patient with a COPD exacerbation, pneumonia, Guillain–Barré syndrome, or stroke? Reinforce the learning. Search for related MCQs and case studies. Test yourself immediately, revisit after further reading, and then again weeks later. Can you apply the same reasoning in a different clinical context?

This cycle of exposure, reflection, testing, and spaced review is where real consolidation happens.

6. Ask for honest, specific feedback

Assessments can feel like hurdles, but feedback – when honest and constructive – is one of the fastest ways to grow.

Senior students often work closely with interns and registrars, who are invaluable near-peers. Outside formal assessments, ask specific questions: What am I doing well? What is one thing I could improve this week? How would you approach this differently?

Small, targeted adjustments can rapidly build competence and confidence.

Medical school is a marathon, not a sprint. Staying organised, being intentional about your learning strategies, and actively seeking feedback will build a strong foundation for your medical career.

At eMedici, our goal is to support high-yield, efficient learning at every stage of training – from foundational sciences to clinical medicine and exam preparation. We wish you good luck on the incredible journey that is med school!

– The eMedici Editorial Team